COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore city police’s traffic unit have seized a total of 332 modified exhaust pipes from motorcycles and cars, which were making huge noise pollution on city roads, in the last three months.The city police’s traffic unit commenced the crackdown on the modified exhaust pipes three months ago. Police registered cases against the offenders under the Motor Vehicles Act and seized the vehicles. Vehicle owners were instructed to visit the police station concerned with the original silencers and were handed over the vehicles only after removing the altered exhaust pipes. Fines ranging between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 were imposed on each motorist.According to a traffic police officer, many students in the city alter the silencers of their two-wheelers. The modified exhaust pipes that make high sounds scare other motorists on the road. A few accidents were also reported because of this issue. “So, our seniors instructed us to focus on bikes and cars with altered exhaust pipes,” the officer said.City police commissioner N Kannan said action would be taken against those who aid motorists in fixing high-decibel modified silencers. “These ear-splitting exhaust pipes are a serious concern to the other motorists on the road. Strict action will be taken against those who fix them. We are planning to measure the decibel level of the vehicles and book owners of vehicles that have more than the prescribed level,” he said.He added that the seized exhaust pipes would be destroyed.
